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I have been super impressed with Monarch in the four years my children have attended. The principal, Melisa Potes, is very involved, making a point to attend school events and parent meetings. I have a child with an IEP and the staff has really come together to help my child succeed. I have other students who are typical learners and they love the extracurricular activities that the school offers. Monarch has clubs for all interests, as well as sports teams for the middle level students. My children have had and continue to have amazing teachers who both challenge and encourage them. The preschool is another wonderful part of the school. The teachers are so loving and really care about the little guys in their program. The preschool liaison does a fabulous job organizing extra activities and helping parents pick the right preschool program. I cannot count how many times teachers and staff have gone above and beyond for the children at Monarch. We are incredibly lucky to have so many talented educators and truly caring adults to teach our children.

- submitted by a
parent

January 16, 2015

This is our first year at this school for our three children. I am very disappointed with the discouraging tone that the teachers and staff have with our kids. Our kids love to learn and are advanced readers. They are now very disheartened to the point that they don't want to participate in anything school related (such as the library's Battle of the Books) because every time they ask a question it is met with condescension. If this is the best school in the area, it is time for us to move.

- submitted by a
parent

October 30, 2013

Monarch K-8 is one of the best schools in this area. Kids are very respectful and teachers are the best! You can tell they love to teach, very dedicated!

- submitted by a
parent

September 17, 2013

My three chidren started school this year, all fresh in from another state. I have to agree with the other posts in that kids are wonderful, friendly and so welcoming. We have lived all over the world and my kids say the students here are the nicest. Their teachers are fantastic, there really are some outstaniding teachers here, just so fun and enthusiastic. I can see that smart kids could get a bit bored as no GATE program but the fun kids and great teachers smore than make up for it. Our daughter had been in various 'Gate' programs and all they do is make her feel like an outcast and so many just pay lip service anyway. You can go up a year or two for Math and be in advanced L.A. which to be honest is a lot more than a lot of schools so for differentiation. We know another gifted child just joined this school and he is also loving it. We love this school!

- submitted by a
parent

June 04, 2013

I was new to Monarch in the middle of the year. Within my first day I all ready had a lot of friends. The teachers and paras are all very nice. People in the hallway say hi even if they don't know you. You are always learning about something new. And if you already know what the rest of the class is learning the teachers will move you a grade level above. I would recommend this school to anyone.

- submitted by a
community member

September 21, 2012

I am very impressed with Monarch K-8. The teachers are beyond amazing, they teach well and give lots of fun projects and give students hands-on work. Since the classes are so close together, your child won't need to bring their backpack to every class! The counseling program is great. The school offers many electives which is great for your child to experience more. The Band is small but it is very good. The one thing that isn't good is the programs for Gifted. Monarch K-8 allows students to be in T.A.G. (Talented And Gifted). However, the T.A.G. kids don't have a specific curriculum, Advanced Algebra 1 and Advanced Language Arts are the only classes provided. For 7th grade and below, if your child completes an evaluation well then your child can be put in the correct math or reading class (Ex: 6th grader in 7th grade math or higher) The kids are beyond amazing, they make you feel welcome and the environment isn't completely divided into little cliques. Everyone has a friend here and if your child doesn't at first, just wait. Lots of clubs are available plus the idea of a student-led club. Monarch K-8 has a wonderful environment with great teachers and students.

- submitted by a
community member

June 13, 2012

i don't go to monarch, but my sister and pretty much my whole family like cousins and yeah go there they say it is the best school ever it help them with what they needed and i cant wait to go to monarch for HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you should go to k-8 and the high school. :)

- submitted by a
community member

April 08, 2012

MK8 is a wonderful school! I was lucky to be part of such a wonderful and dynamic elementary team. Support, planning, and articulation between grade levels occurs regularly, and the administration (past and present) continues to be incredibly supportive. I would work there again in a heartbeat!!

- submitted by a
teacher

July 26, 2011

Monarch K-8 is a good school but not the best. I just finished middle school at Monarch. The teachers are great! They really care about the students and they challenge you to do your best. However the administration is not good. In 7th and 8th grade there were a lot of problems at lunch. In 7th grade, we were in trouble for two weeks, and were yelled at by the principal a lot of the time. In 8th grade someone started clapping a beat in the cafeteria and everyone joined along. It was fun. We did it again the next day and the next day. The lunch ladies threatened to take away recess but we decided to do it again the next day. The lunch ladies yelled at all of us to go to the office (yes everyone in the whole cafeteria). The administration threatened to take away our 8th grade commencement and suspend us in high school. Really? All of this for the 8th grade class clapping harmlessly in the cafeteria? One of the administrators says she is a "Dr". I don't know what she got her doctorate in but it was obviously not in childhood development. I would not recommend you go this school.

- submitted by a
community member

November 29, 2009

I am an 8th grader this year and have had a great experience. The teachers are awesome and make sure you're ready for high school.

- submitted by a
student

September 16, 2009

The teachers at Monarch K-8 are first rate and never fail to amaze me with their enthusiasm for teaching as well as their caring attitude towards the children in their classes. The administration as well is always there to answer questions and if they don't have the answers handy, they will go out of their way to find one for you. It is a safe environment for the students to learn and progress, to be and become the best persons they can become. Teachers challenge the students to reach their full potential both on a personal level as well as academically. Great Job, Monarch :-)

- submitted by a
parent

no ratingSeptember 16, 2009

They work hard to serve all kids. They always make me feel welcome at the school.

- submitted by a
parent

April 14, 2009

This review submitted without content.

- submitted by a
parent

February 11, 2009

This review submitted without content.

- submitted by a
parent

September 04, 2008

I am an eighth grader here at Monarch K-8, and for the three years I've been here, and participated in the school's daily functions, I have to say I'm utterly confused on the parents who say that there is an 'inexcusable' amount of bullying and fights. Why? Because I KNOW for a fact that this school has a great counselor system, and for three years, I can only remember 1 serious fight. And MAYBE 3major bullying accounts, which for a school is really good I think. And of course that t year, those two girls weren't straight with the world just yet, in fact they were perpendicular with it. But after Monarch I know for a fact that one of them got straightened out, and went on living her life more mature, and smarter, than if she hadn't gone to Monarch. Monarch is a great school, and will always will be.

- submitted by a
student

July 25, 2008

Academically I think the school is fine. However, when my daughter was repeatedly bullied by another girl at the school the administrator assigned to handle the situation was ineffective.

- submitted by a
parent

July 23, 2008

After moving here from out of state, I have to say I am unimpressed with what I have seen so far. My daughter has always been a great student and well-liked by all her former teachers. This year at Monarch we felt that the teacher did not have rapport with the students and did not care to make learning enjoyable. My daughter fell behind in math and reading where she never had problems in the past. Recess was taken away on a regular basis for all students in the class. After speaking with other parents I found that my child was not the only one who feared her teacher and woke up each morning feeling ill. There was no organization or cleanliness in the classroom and just did not seem conducive to learning. I would not recommend this school.

- submitted by a
parent

January 16, 2008

Monarch has a very nice invironment. The majority of the students are very happy and successful. I do not think that we are challanged enough in class, but I am glad that we do not have tons of homework because, homework doesn't help us it stresses us out and makes us unhappy! I just think there should be higher expectations. But I feel that the staff really cares about the kids and their needs and wants. I love my school! Also i like that most teachers don't over-control you. I feel free but safe.

- submitted by a
student

June 11, 2007

This school just does not impress me at all for anything. The bullying, teasing, and even a bit of fighting is simply inexcusable. There is no personality in the overclean walls, and the poor elementary child will get lost in the flurry and end up in the Middle School section. Yes, the gym has a climbing wall, but so does Louisville Middle, my second child's school! The CSAP rates are simply not as good as others, and I have talked with my daughter who went there about how the classes were far too easy for her! The track program is bad. I say, enroll your child to Louisville Middle and be happy.

- submitted by a
parent

June 06, 2007

There is good and bad. My daughter's experience with Math was barely average. She got good grades 'A' but what did she learn. The teacher couldn't explain some of the problems, no textbook (only workbooks),and no homework on weekends. Problems with cell phones and a lack of supervision are the bad. The music program is wonderful, PTA is active and Science is strongly supported. Overall it is a good school but I would recommend more communication to the students about character issues.

- submitted by a
parent

August 17, 2006

This is the best school around! and one of the reasons it is the best: the awesome principal and office staff! these people truly care about our children! the principal is always outside watching our kids and in the halls proving how well he knows each teacher and student and person in the school. The office staff is continually helpful and i believe there is no where better for my kids to go! go mustangs!

- submitted by a
parent

April 09, 2006

High level of parent involvement/financial support (PTA typically raises about $30K/year); dedicated teachers & support staff (e.g., literacy specialists); school fosters a caring community; excellent availability of all extracurriculars (the gym even has a climbing wall!). We love this school.

- submitted by a
parent

March 30, 2006

This review submitted without content.

- submitted by a
parent

December 12, 2005

Monarch k-8 has been a terrific learning environment for our 3 children. The staff is excellent, the campus is well-kept with nice division of kids via 'pods' for different grade levels. The emphasis on ICARE and community service is awesome. Monarch is definitely a caring community! I feel my children are excelling at Monarch.

- submitted by a
parent

August 20, 2005

This is one of the best public schools in BVSD. The teachers are very dedicated. The parental involvement is wonderful, too. I'm not familiar with the sports programs, but the music and art programs are great because the teachers make those stubjects exciting. The school community concept is embraced, but students' individual needs are consistently acknowledged.

- submitted by a
parent

May 09, 2005

Each school has positives and negatives, so here goes: It starts at the top, and this school is very poorly led. The principal sets a poor example in many areas, affecting many things. It would take many more words than 150 to express my full dissatisfaction with this principal. Violence and bullying are again rising. There are few real fights, but the bullying, teasing, and physical abuse are unacceptable. The track program is very poor. There is no leadership, real teaching, of even evaluation of children for their best events. The music program is fantastic with dedicated teaching. The academic rigor is sporadic depending on the teacher. Many days there is little homework. There are good teachers and some not so good. A mixed bag, to be sure, but the negatives often outweigh the positives at Monarch. My son has suffered in numerous ways from the environment. I am looking for a private school.

- submitted by a
parent

April 22, 2005

My son has had a very positive experience in his three years at Monarch K-8. The teachers have been very supportive and accessible. The music program has been wonderful.

- submitted by a
parent

December 29, 2004

This review submitted without content.

- submitted by a
parent

March 05, 2004

This review submitted without content.

- submitted by a
parent

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